David Welky

David Welky is Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of History at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), where he has taught since 2002. His academic work spans multidisciplinary historical research, with affiliations centered in UCA's history department.

Welky's research explores diverse facets of American and cultural history including:

• Presidential biographies (Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt)
• Film history and American Western genre studies
• Arctic exploration history
• Civil rights movements during WWII
• Cultural phenomena (Superman comics, Olympic history)
• U.S.-Middle East relations

His scholarly recognition includes:

• UCA's Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Award
• Booker Worthen Literary Prize
• College-level Outstanding Faculty Member Award
• Best Presentation Award from Arkansas Association of College History Teachers

He teaches courses on Recent American History, Great Depression/WWII, Film History, Podcasting, and the American Western genre. Currently completing Teedie & Bamie: The Extraordinary Roosevelt Siblings and the World They Made (W. W. Norton, 2026).